1sweep 
/ˈswi:p/ verb
sweeps; swept /ˈswi:p/ verb /ˈswɛpt/; sweep·ing 1 a always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to remove (something, such as dust or dirt) from a surface with a broom or brush or with a quick movement of your hand, fingers, etc.
▪ He swept the dirt off the driveway. ▪ He swept the crumbs from the table.
b : to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) with a broom or brush [+ obj] ▪ She swept the floor. ▪ I need to sweep the kitchen. ▪ Are you finished sweeping the porch? [no obj] ▪ Have you swept yet? — see also sweep out (below), sweep up (below) 2 always followed by an adverb or preposition a [no obj] : to move or pass quickly, forcefully, or smoothly
▪ A storm swept across the plains. ▪ Fires swept through the forest. — often used figuratively ▪ She swept to victory on a wave of popularity.
b [no obj] : to move or walk in a smooth, quick, and impressive way
▪ She proudly swept into the room. ▪ The limo swept up to the door.
c [+ obj] : to push or move (something) quickly or forcefully
▪ He swept the curtains aside. ▪ She swept the books off the desk.
d [+ obj] : to push, carry, or lift (someone or something) with great force
▪ The debris was swept [=carried] out to sea by the tide. ▪ She was swept toward the door by the crowd. ▪ He swept her into his arms. — often used figuratively ▪ We were swept along/away by her enthusiasm. ▪ The party was swept into power in the last election. 3 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] of a feeling or emotion : to be felt suddenly
▪ Fear swept over/through her. [=she suddenly felt afraid] ▪ A feeling of relief swept over him. 4 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to move (your hand, arm, etc.) in a wide, curving motion
▪ He swept his arm across the table. 5 [+ obj] : to pass over (all of an area or place) in a continuous motion
▪ The teacher's gaze swept the classroom. ▪ A searchlight swept the area. ▪ Strong winds sweep the mountainside. 6 [+ obj] : to become very popular or common suddenly in (a particular place)
▪ It's the latest craze sweeping the nation. 7 [+ obj] : to win everything that can be won in (something, such as an election) in an easy or impressive way
▪ The opposition party swept the election. 8 [+ obj] US, sports : to win all of the games in a series of games against another team
▪ They swept their rivals in a three-game series. ▪ They swept the series/doubleheader. ▪ They were swept in the play-offs last year. 9 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to brush or pull (your hair) away from your face
▪ She swept her hair up/back and clipped it in place. 10 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to form a long, smooth curve
▪ The property sweeps down to the water's edge.
▪ He swept the dirt off the driveway. ▪ He swept the crumbs from the table.
b : to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) with a broom or brush [+ obj] ▪ She swept the floor. ▪ I need to sweep the kitchen. ▪ Are you finished sweeping the porch? [no obj] ▪ Have you swept yet? — see also sweep out (below), sweep up (below)
▪ A storm swept across the plains. ▪ Fires swept through the forest. — often used figuratively ▪ She swept to victory on a wave of popularity.
b [no obj] : to move or walk in a smooth, quick, and impressive way
▪ She proudly swept into the room. ▪ The limo swept up to the door.
c [+ obj] : to push or move (something) quickly or forcefully
▪ He swept the curtains aside. ▪ She swept the books off the desk.
d [+ obj] : to push, carry, or lift (someone or something) with great force
▪ The debris was swept [=carried] out to sea by the tide. ▪ She was swept toward the door by the crowd. ▪ He swept her into his arms. — often used figuratively ▪ We were swept along/away by her enthusiasm. ▪ The party was swept into power in the last election.
▪ Fear swept over/through her. [=she suddenly felt afraid] ▪ A feeling of relief swept over him.
▪ He swept his arm across the table.
▪ The teacher's gaze swept the classroom. ▪ A searchlight swept the area. ▪ Strong winds sweep the mountainside.
▪ It's the latest craze sweeping the nation.
▪ The opposition party swept the election.
▪ They swept their rivals in a three-game series. ▪ They swept the series/doubleheader. ▪ They were swept in the play-offs last year.
▪ She swept her hair up/back and clipped it in place.
▪ The property sweeps down to the water's edge.
sweep aside [phrasal verb]
sweep (something) aside or sweep aside (something) : to treat (something) as not important : to ignore (something)
▪ He swept aside [=brushed aside] questions about his son's arrest. ▪ He swept aside [=dismissed] their objections, refusing to change his plans.
▪ He swept aside [=brushed aside] questions about his son's arrest. ▪ He swept aside [=dismissed] their objections, refusing to change his plans.
sweep away [phrasal verb]
sweep (something) away or sweep away (something) : to destroy or remove (something) completely
▪ Floods swept away several houses. ▪ an ancient civilization swept away by war ▪ His performance today swept away any doubts about his ability to play.
▪ Floods swept away several houses. ▪ an ancient civilization swept away by war ▪ His performance today swept away any doubts about his ability to play.
sweep out [phrasal verb]
sweep (something) out or sweep out (something) : to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) by using a broom or brush
▪ Please sweep out the room when you're done working.
▪ Please sweep out the room when you're done working.
sweep (someone) off his/her feet
: to make (someone) suddenly become very attracted to you in a romantic way
▪ She says that he swept her off her feet, and they were married six months later.
▪ She says that he swept her off her feet, and they were married six months later.
sweep (something) under the rug (US) or chiefly Brit sweep (something) under the carpet
: to hide (something that is illegal, embarrassing, or wrong)
▪ He tried to sweep his past mistakes under the rug. ▪ This is not something we can just sweep under the rug.
▪ He tried to sweep his past mistakes under the rug. ▪ This is not something we can just sweep under the rug.
sweep the board
chiefly Brit : to win everything that can be won in a competition
▪ She swept the board at the awards ceremony.
▪ She swept the board at the awards ceremony.
sweep up [phrasal verb] 1 sweep up or sweep (something) up or sweep up (something) a : to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) by using a broom or brush
▪ When I was sweeping up, I found an earring that I had lost. ▪ Can you please sweep up the porch?
b sweep (something) up or sweep up (something) : to remove (something, such as dust, dirt, etc.) from a surface by using a broom or brush
▪ She swept up the broken glass. 2 sweep (someone or something) up or sweep up (someone or something) : to pick up (someone or something) in one quick, continuous motion
▪ She swept the baby up and carried her to the crib.
▪ When I was sweeping up, I found an earring that I had lost. ▪ Can you please sweep up the porch?
b sweep (something) up or sweep up (something) : to remove (something, such as dust, dirt, etc.) from a surface by using a broom or brush
▪ She swept up the broken glass.
▪ She swept the baby up and carried her to the crib.
